Family Movie Night In | The Descendants

Movie nights have long been apart of my life, growing up I loved having a sleepover with my friends with loads of munchies and juice and DVD's and magazines. Most of the time we'd end up laughing and gorging on junk and barely watch the movies but you know it really didn't matter because it was a memory that I'd never forget. It released any stress that I had at the time and brought up closely together.

Now that I'm an adult I still believe wholeheartedly in movie nights. In my last job I worked for a care home who also embraced the movie night culture because it brought the residents together, gave them an hour or two of freedom from being a resident, service user or patient. Seeing the smiles on their face brought me so much joy although they didn't enjoy it if you had to interrupt them to get something *oops*, especially during lads night. The men were the worst if they were interrupted. I presumed this was something that only the care home I worked in did but I recently found out that Gracewell, who is a care home provider also encourage movie nights for the exact same reason. I'm hoping that all care homes, long-stay hospitals and family homes do the same.

Our last movie night was the first in our new home. Settling down after Christmas and New Year I let the boys pick a movie that they had on their wishlist. They chose Disney's The Descendants. Secretly I was chuffed because I wanted to see it too. I do love a good kids Disney movie (is that quite sad, it is isn't it?).

We got plenty of munchies - Cooper chose Salt and Vinegar Pringles and Dairy Milk. Rome chooses popcorn and buttons and Cole chooses popcorn and sweeties. We all drank water cause the boys are a bit more health-conscious than I was when I was their age. I munched on Joe & Seph's Toffee Apple and Cinnamon popcorn and sweeties, the popcorn was incredible! like seriously so incredible I wasn't sharing one bit. PJ's were on, the boys were comfy, mummy and daddy were comfy and the lights were off, the movie was about to begin...

So what is the movie about?

The Descendants is a new take on the classic Disney stories of Snow White, Cruella de Vil, Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty etc. Basically, this movie tells the tale of the Disney baddies who were all exiled to an island in the middle of nowhere called the Isle of the Lost (like Alcatraz) by the good fairy. The Evil Witch, Cruella de Vil, Jafar and Maleficent all now have children who stay on this island in the middle of nowhere and like their parents they're rebellious, they're naughty and they just don't care. All they want to do is cause havoc and make their parents proud of their naughtiness.

Long story short they children of the baddies are given the chance to come and live in Auradon (where the good guys stay) because the new prince (whose parents are the beast and belle) believes that the children of the baddies should be given the chance to live a good life, especially because it's their parents who are bad and not them. Initially, they don't want to leave the island to go to Auradon but Mal (daughter of Maleficent) is told to go and to steal the good fairy's wand.

Once they arrive they're surrounded by goodness, normal living, and adults who show them love and respect. It makes the children second guess themselves. Are they really born bad or are they born to be whoever they want to be? I'll not add any spoilers but this movie's filled with great little Disney actors, my sons all recognised the stars from their favourite TV shows. It's also filled with crazy fashions, strong personalities, and plenty of catchy tunes.

I won't say what happens as it will spoil it but the movie is really incredible. It's bright, full of zany fashion, has a really good moral or two and has the typical Disney singing. It's not too girly, boyish or romantic like many of the Disney movies either which is a big plus. All three of my sons loved it and, Cole tends to not love many movies as he's always viewing the realities of it. Unless it would happen in real life he's not impressed but with this movie he was hooked.

Apparently, our next movie nights going to feature Teen Beach Movie 2. Honestly, I'm kinda excited about it.